H1N1 Vaccines Remain In Short Supply

Thursday, October 22, 2009
Topics: Politics, Health
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Cuyahoga County health officials say they’re prepared to reach large numbers of at-risk people with H1N1 vaccinations – if only they had the vaccine.

Health Commissioner Terry Allen says the county has received 5000 doses of the nasal vaccine, but it cannot be given to people with chronic conditions or pregnant women. 

Allen says what little injectable vaccine HAS come in has been used to immunize EMTs and paramedics, along with SOME pregnant women. 

When there’s more vaccine to dispense, it will be taken into daycares, school-based clinics, and some large community clinics.  But the Centers for Disease Control has adjusted down their vaccine production estimates from the producers for October and November, and Allen says that makes planning difficult. 

He says the county is asking people to be patient.

Cases of flu have been on the rise and they’re generally believed to be H1N1, although that’s not confirmed because most people who become ill aren’t tested for that particular virus.  Most cases are no more severe than a typical bout of the flu.